“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines as Rajasthan Royals Eliminate SRH from IPL 2026

A Masterclass in Aggression at New Chandigarh

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh bore witness to a spectacular display of batting firepower during the 72nd match of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026. In a high-stakes Eliminator clash, the Rajasthan Royals delivered a commanding performance, securing a 47-run victory over Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad to advance to Qualifier 2, where they are set to face the Gujarat Titans.

The Strategic Setup

Pat Cummins, leading the Sunrisers, won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the conditions early. The team made a tactical change, bringing in Praful Hinge to replace Harshal Patel. On the other side, the Rajasthan Royals opted to bolster their lineup by drafting in the veteran Ravindra Jadeja for Shubam Dubey. With the tournament stakes at their peak, the atmosphere was electric, knowing the loser would be sent packing.

Sooryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Blitz

The narrative of the match shifted immediately once the Royals began their innings. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, showing maturity beyond his years, dismantled the SRH bowling attack with clinical precision. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, the duo provided a blistering start, accumulating 80 runs in the powerplay alone. Sooryavanshi was the clear aggressor, racing to a half-century in just 16 balls.

His innings was a masterclass in clean hitting, eventually yielding 97 runs off a mere 29 deliveries. This explosive knock set the tone for the entire match. Even after the departure of the openers, Dhruv Jurel contributed a solid half-century, and Riyan Parag provided a quick-fire 26 off 11 balls, pushing the Royals to an imposing total of 243/8.

SRH’s Struggle in the Chase

Chasing a massive target of 244, the Sunrisers Hyderabad faced immediate pressure. The start could not have been worse for the Orange Army, as Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck in the opening over. Ishan Kishan attempted to keep the required run rate in check with a frantic 33 off 11 balls, but the loss of regular wickets halted any momentum. Travis Head’s departure for 17 runs further compounded the pressure.

By the time 10 overs had been completed, the SRH dugout was already half-empty. A resilient partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora attempted to stem the tide, contributing 56 runs off 24 deliveries. However, once Salil Arora departed for 38, the resistance crumbled. Despite a late fight from Shivang Kumar, the Sunrisers were eventually bundled out for 196.

Pat Cummins Reflects on the Defeat

Despite the crushing exit, Pat Cummins remained gracious in defeat, showing deep respect for the young talent that dominated the match. Reflecting on the performance, the SRH skipper remarked: “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch… It was a very well-rounded team. Young guns, we were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs.”

Cummins acknowledged the difficulties of chasing such a daunting total, noting: “It’s great as a captain to see that. Few things need to get right while chasing 240. We lost too many wickets at the wrong time. We were one tiny bit away from being in the top two. Can’t ask for anything more.”

Looking Ahead

The Rajasthan Royals now carry significant momentum into the next stage of the tournament. Their ability to produce match-winners like Sooryavanshi under immense pressure makes them a formidable force heading into the encounter against the Gujarat Titans. For the Sunrisers, the season concludes on a note of pride, having nurtured a squad of young talents that pushed the best in the league to the brink.